tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23191203.post5482732432880379185..comments2023-09-25T04:24:45.407-05:00Comments on The M Blog: How long do we stay?J. Guy Musehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17751691713410311094noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23191203.post-32319702230370070642007-12-07T08:25:00.000-05:002007-12-07T08:25:00.000-05:00Jeff G.,Interesting thought about us only familiar...Jeff G.,<BR/><BR/>Interesting thought about us only familiar with "missionaries" and little of apostlic methodology of Paul and his co-workers. I know in our own case a huge factor in all this is family. One of the reasons we stay put is due to family needs and concerns, and little to do with what is best for the work. My mind often wanders to what our lives might be like once the kids are grown up and out of the house. What kind of role will be play? Where will we serve and how will we go about it? What you share is good food for thought!J. Guy Musehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17751691713410311094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23191203.post-19891329192033122112007-12-06T12:16:00.000-05:002007-12-06T12:16:00.000-05:00Guy, I think we are all better served by using NT ...Guy, I think we are all better served by using NT guidelines rather than modern missionary statistics. <BR/><BR/>Why can not we take Paul as an example? Is that such a stretch? <BR/><BR/>It would have been unthinkable for Paul to stay for 20 years as an Apostle in any one place. Three years was his maximum and that is because he was holding down the fort in Ephesus while his co-workers planted the outlying churches of Colosse, Hierapolis, Laodicea, Sardis, etc. (see Col 4 and Acts 19)<BR/><BR/>But since we know only "missionaries" and know little of apostles we stay on, going by statistics you mentioned and the like...<BR/><BR/>Here is for a return to the methods laid down by Paul and his co-workers ion the 1st century!!<BR/><BR/>Jeff GAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23191203.post-58031183234294902162007-11-16T09:50:00.000-05:002007-11-16T09:50:00.000-05:00Cahleen,Thanks for struggling along with me! If fo...Cahleen,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for struggling along with me! If followed by everyone, the percentages argument would have ALL believers exit the USA since it is well over the 5% threshold. But is this God's will? I think indicators are just that--guidelines--that help, but it is the Lord who ultimately must lead his children to the pastures He has prepared for them. If your 2.5% figure is correct, we are more evangelized here in Ecuador than you are in Taiwan...maybe we'll be headed your way soon! :)J. Guy Musehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17751691713410311094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23191203.post-74283073326048150172007-11-16T00:35:00.000-05:002007-11-16T00:35:00.000-05:00This is a tough question, and yes, many things hav...This is a tough question, and yes, many things have to be considered. Take Taiwan for example. While Christianity definitely isn't the main religion here, there are some Christians. Statistics say that about 2.5% of the Taiwanese population, but almost all of them are upper class people and only about half of them are regular church attenders. And many of these "upper class Christians" that I have met are still very superstitious and follow certain Taoist traditions as well (just in case I guess). So, I guess what I'm saying is that sometimes those percentages can be deceiving. By the way, there's a lot of interesting information about what I've been talking about at http://www.omf.org/taiwan. Great post!Cahleen @ The Alt Storyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14704918285007073873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23191203.post-9090297825583099252007-11-15T15:27:00.000-05:002007-11-15T15:27:00.000-05:00The following comment comes from Debbie Kaufman......The following comment comes from Debbie Kaufman...<BR/><BR/><I>This just shows that all of you were indeed called to be<BR/>missionaries as this post and the comments following it show a true<BR/>missionaries heart.<BR/><BR/>Thanks Guy.<BR/><BR/>Sincerely,<BR/><BR/>Debbie Kaufman</I>J. Guy Musehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17751691713410311094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23191203.post-24539315216551196082007-11-15T12:50:00.000-05:002007-11-15T12:50:00.000-05:00Travis,Thanks for the good advise. Often all that ...Travis,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the good advise. Often all that is needed is a few months back in the States and a break from the daily grind. But you are right, we need to listen to the Lord on this one!<BR/><BR/>Eric,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the comment. I think many M's out there wonder about these things, especially "how long do we stay?" Living there in Japan, I can only imagine how you must be asking the same question! I understand the work is a lot slower there than it is here. My hat is off to you guys for sticking it out there, but again, how long do we continue to plow away doing the same tasks? Congrats on the 20th wedding anniversary, sounds like you guys were just behind us in the appointment process.J. Guy Musehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17751691713410311094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23191203.post-25747582185700737212007-11-15T03:50:00.000-05:002007-11-15T03:50:00.000-05:00Guy,Eric Kurfman in Japan here...long time no "see...Guy,<BR/>Eric Kurfman in Japan here...long time no "see". It is AMAZING to me how what you write is often exactly what I am pondering or going through...my wife and I have just started seriously asking the same question...AMAZING...<BR/><BR/>Just as a note, interestingly enough, November 14th was our 20th wedding anniversary...we have been here 19 years...Eric Kurfman エリック・カーフマンhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00094702446379071924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23191203.post-55769588273206183912007-11-14T22:46:00.000-05:002007-11-14T22:46:00.000-05:00His sheep will hear His voice. As you listen to t...His sheep will hear His voice. As you listen to the Lord on this, He will speak to you. By the way, Michael and Ann had their second "outreach" meeting tonight and it went great...the Lord showed up. They often speak of their time in Ecuador.<BR/>TravisTKBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18171163114189367328noreply@blogger.com